5 Wildcats Declare For NBA Draft

The HQ honestly thought the number would be that high...

But Kentucky freshmen Eric Bledsoe, DeMarcus Cousins, Daniel Orton and John Wall and junior Patrick Patterson are entering their names into the NBA draft, the school announced in a release on Wednesday.

Bledsoe averaged over 11 points per game. Cousins was second on the team in scoring. Orton was the sixth man. Wall was, well, John Wall. And Patterson was a top-15 player in the country when it came to field goal percentage.

All five players are projected as first-round picks.

“I’ve spoken with all five guys concerning the NBA and have encouraged them to put their names in the draft,” UK head coach John Calipari said. “They’ve all met individually with our compliance office to make sure they have a full understanding of eligibility rules and academic responsibilities. I’m so proud of these five young men, with everything they did for us on the court and the way they represented us off of it. It’s extremely unusual for four freshmen from the same team to have this opportunity, but it’s my job as a coach to prepare these young men for such opportunities.”

Underclassmen have until April 25th to declare for the draft and have until May 8th to withdraw their name from the draft. The draft itself is on June 24th.

Here's an example of what Ashley Judd will be missing next season...
Every point scored by UK in the Tennessee home game...
Well edited by UKWildcatFan92...
((HT: ESPN/NCAA/SEC))

College Basketball 09-10: SEC

SEC Basketball fans, just eliminate the 2008-09 season from your memory. Pretend like all the underachieving and getting only 3 teams in the NCAA's never happened. This season the league will get back to normal. Why? Because it looks like Kentucky will be well, Kentucky again.

BEST TEAM IN THE SEC: Kentucky

UK doesn't mess around. After tieing for 4th in the SEC East and going to the NIT, someone had to be whacked and that someone was former head coach Billy Gillispie. So Kentucky goes from a coach who couldn't make friends in Lexington (got to have people skills) to a coach who oozes charisma and talks the talk, John Calipari.

Hiring Calipari has brought the buzz back to Kentucky basketball plus UK hoops is top of mind again with the 5-star recruits. With outstanding talent Kentucky won't fall in the SEC standings any more. The Wildcats will cut down the nets at the SEC Tournament and win yet another SEC title. I would also expect Kentucky to make a final four run as well.

BEST PLAYER IN THE SEC: Patrick Patterson - Kentucky

When you have a big that can score consistently in double digits and rebound at will you have a player, that describes Patrick Patterson. Last season Patterson averaged 17.9 points per game and 9.3 rebounds per game, great numbers but Patterson wasn't satisfied. The thing that has me believe that Patterson is in for a monster year is that he dedicated himself to improve his game. Patterson is determined to lead the Wildcats to a national championship. UK's SEC opponents, you have been warned. Patterson is on a mission.

OSG's SEC Predictions:

SEC East:

Kentucky

Tennessee

Vanderbilt

South Carolina

Florida

Georgia

SEC West:

Mississippi State

Ole Miss

LSU

Alabama

Auburn

Arkansas

Photo Courtesy: SI.com